Why you should add a cruise to your bucket list

At a time when bucket lists are ever-popular, visiting a foreign country, immersing oneself in it’s culture and perhaps even learning a foreign language are among the wishes of many.

While I look forward to a tandem parachute jump, I appreciate that for many, that is clearly ridiculous, especially given my personal aversion to speed and heights, and perhaps I will feel the same once on the ledge of a plane!

Maybe I should actually adjust my bucket list…
After all, visiting a foreign country can be exciting, exhilarating, educational and of course enlightening too.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people visit Europe, and France remains the top tourist destination, not just in Europe, but throughout the world.

Why France?

Given the bad press so often misguidedly aimed towards the French, why do so many choose to visit France, not once but many times?

Fortunately, the bad press is mainly unwarranted. The old adage of one bad apple surely applies to all nationalities. Working in tourism for 15 years has taught me many things, including that there is no such thing as a typical French man, American, New Zealander, South African or Australian. We are all people in our own right, and that makes the beauty of the planet!

France is a beautiful country, and although relatively small, she has so much to offer and discover that one visit may not be enough! You have been warned…

With so many regions to explore, each with it’s own particular history, culture and traditions, not forgetting culinary specialities, cheeses and wines, there is always something to discover.
After 18 years living in Burgundy, I have seen just a fraction of it’s beauty.

In France we enjoy a relatively slow pace of life, and have a healthy work/leisure balance, for the main part.
When holidaying in France, everything encourages you to slow down. This is surely the perfect place to forget your normal rushing around lifestyle!

Take the time to enjoy a meal…
to savour a fine wine…
to wonder at some of the most beautiful chateaux in the world,
to relax and let go.

While many of our cities are the perfect starting point to your holiday, it’s the smaller towns and villages which are the most charming.

A perfect cruise idea!

So how to visit more than one?
A boating holiday is the perfect solution… It’s a no-rush, no-stress trip.
Imagine waking up each morning to a new adventure, where endless possibilities await you on board your boat.

As the sun warms the early morning air, take a cycle ride to the local ‘boulangerie’ for the finest croissants, simply delicious with freshly brewed coffee.

On today’s menu : Perhaps a visit to a 14th century château, a picnic lunch, a swim, and some bird-spotting as you glide along the rivers and canals?

The water has a calming effect on adults and children alike, making this the perfect family holiday.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to simply sit back and enjoy the ride, and let’s face it, you’ve earned a rest after a year at work, why not join an all-inclusive cruise aboard a hotel barge? You’ll be spoilt for choice with a variety of excursions and private wine tastings, not to mention fabulous meals prepared by your on board chef each day.

Health experts are constantly telling us of the benefits of slowing down and taking more time off.
Perhaps it’s time that we took their advice on board?

Add Cruising to your bucket list… and remember, as Mark Twain wrote :

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.